Mystery Book Recommendations – February 2015

February 26, 2015

Do you have a favorite Valentine’s Day book you read every February? Well February is almost over, so I’d like to ask you all if you read an extremely good Cozy Mystery this month, would you pleased tell the rest of us about it? (Obviously, if you read two, three, or more extremely good Cozy Mysteries, we’d love to hear about them, too!) Please tell us why this particular Cozy (or these particular Cozies) are better than the rest of the Cozies you read during February.

Please do not tell us about the Cozy/Cozies you read that you did not like.

What really good Cozy Mystery book(s) did you read during February 2015 that you know the rest of us would enjoy reading, and why did you enjoy it (them)?

Here are the current recommended authors (series) who (that) some of you have read and recommended this past month:

Comments

I read a dozen books so far this month and enjoyed all of them. My favorites were: Diners, Drive-ins and Death by Christine Wenger; Twisted Threads by Lea Wait (a promising new series); Fry Another Day by J.J. Cook (my new favorite of the Lavene’s many series); At the Drop of a Hat by Jenn McKinlay; and Lie of the Needle by Cate Price.

February has been a cold and snowy month. I also injured my elbow (displaced it) and was in ER from 9:30am to 5:00pm one day, which resulted in a closed surgery to my elbow. Consequently, my left arm (I’m left handed) was in a splint and a sling for 10 days. The only positive was that all this added up to a LOT of ‘reading time’. The following are some (but not all) of the books I read:

Root Awakening – Kate Collins

An interesting complex story. In fact, there are two separate story lines. This book is fast paced and, as always, with well developed (some nefarious) characters. This author also writes with entertaining dialogue. I really enjoy the family aspect that is always part of the story in this series. Reading the books in order is somewhat necessary to understanding the characters.

The one thing this author does (not to my liking) in most of the books in the series – is putting the sleuth in ‘dumb’ hazardous situations towards the end of the story. Of course, it always gets resolved, but nonetheless, there probably are more creative ways to show ‘smartness’ instead of ‘dumbness’ of the protagonist.

Good read with a lot of plot originality!

—————————————————————–

With Baited Breath — Lorraine Bartlett

This book is the first in a new series by this VERY prolific author. I’d be interested in knowing what others thought of this book. The murder mystery appears to be secondary to the story.

Tori Cannon (protagonist) returns to the community where she spent a lot of time in her childhood. She is at a crossroads in her own career and considers converting/renovating an old home into a B&B. She reconnects with an old friend. Actually there is a ‘short’ story (Panty Raid) first in this book, to introduce the characters for the series.

A local man is murdered in a motel room. Several twists later Tori and her old friend Kathy, and new friend Anissa, get involved in finding the resolution to this crime. The characters in this story have strong possibilities for further development in future stories.

I almost took this off my recommendation list, BUT I’m recommending it because this author has a good track record, thus the series has great potential. Also, I’ll read the next book (which I wouldn’t do if I really disliked it).

——————————————————————

License to Dill – Mary Hughes

This story, set in Cloverdale (I believe in NY), is enjoyable. An Italian soccer team visits this community for a three game tournament with the local soccer team. There are strong ties to the past, resulting in the murder of someone who is part of the team. There are many twists to the plot, keeping the reader turning the pages with a somewhat surprising ending.

Although the romantic subplot is somewhat irritating, it highlights the strong and independent nature of the protagonist (Piper Lamb). When her ex-fiance decides to move to this community, Tori doesn’t get all gushy/mushy with the possibility of a reunion with him. Kudos to the author for this independent and smart character who makes it clear she is moving forward (w/new romantic interest) and NOT backward. Hughes has surrounded the protagonist with interesting characters and good dialogue.

——————————————————————–

At the Drop of a Hat – Jenn McKinlay

This is my favorite series by this author. I liked the two previous books and this one doesn’t disappoint! The characters are so enjoyable and engaging and the dialogue is great with a lot of humor. A customer enters the hat shop owned by two cousins in London seeking restoration of a veil her mother wore at her wedding. This customer’s boss is murdered and she is a suspect. The mystery is the focus of this book with its many, many twists until there is a resolution.

The ‘romantic’ story line(s) has a few surprising developments. I LOVE the witty banter! McKinlay usually ends her books with a tease into the next book. She dropped a huge bombshell in the last pages of this one. My problem is — I never remember this for a whole year! Perhaps when authors do this, they should include in their next book the last chapter of the previous book!

—————————————————————————

Darned If You Do — Monica Ferris

I’m just going to briefly mention this book. This series has been highlighted previously (positively) on this blog.

I’m always amazed at the creativity and fertile minds of authors. Ferris has created a very imaginative premise for this story. During a storm a tree falls on the roof of a home in this Minnesota community. The owner of the home hasn’t allowed anyone in it for years because he is a hoarder and his house is filled with junk/treasures. Much of the story is based around this home and it’s ‘stuff’. The mystery is pretty easily figured out about ¾ the way through the book.

Let me tell you, after reading this story you will have the incentive to start your spring cleaning………………..clearing out those closets, drawers, cupboards, etc.! This book can easily be read without reading all the previous books in the series.

————————————————————————————————

An Early Wake – Sheila Connolly

I’ve saved the best for last Again, another favorite series by an established author. However, in this book the mystery is a very small part of the story, not the main stream/thread. Connolly writes this with a MUCH different voice than her other series (more like a novel). It is set in Cork County, Ireland. Maura (main character) owns a pub in this small community. The excellent richness and depth of the characters and story lines keep the reader engaged. It is NOT fast paced or a page turner, but an overall terrific read.

It’s the third book in the series. I believe it’s necessary to read the books sequentially to be able to follow the nuances of the story lines and characters.

MJ, I am so sorry to hear about your displaced elbow and subsequent surgery. Well at least you were able to find a positive spin for your elbow displacement. I’m not sure I would have been able to look at it as an opportunity to read! I have heard about “closed” surgeries before, but don’t think I have ever known anyone who had one. I can’t even imagine how they do them! The whole procedure sounds very painful to me. After the ten days in a splint and sling, I hope you’re all mended!

The closed surgery just means they don’t cut you open. They gave me an anesthetic which put me out for just 10 minutes while they put the elbow back together. Then they immobilized it. I had the most pain while waiting all day for them to fix it. I had a ‘pity party’, ‘oh woe is me’ for a couple of days, then realized there are a LOT of people with far bigger health problems (including several friends). I was fortunate it wasn’t broken.

I’m not mended (that’ll take some time), but I’m getting there. I was able to start driving again a couple of days ago. I can now use both hands to write email. For ten days, I could only use just one hand, which was cumbersome.

MJ, believe me, I know all about the pity parties and then the guilt one feels after realizing that things really could be worse! My husband’s health has been deteriorating the past three years, and I’ve spent plenty of time having pity parties. He is always the one who reminds me that other’s have (as you say) “far bigger health problems”.

I hope you have been able to get your Valentine’s decorations put away and your Easter decorations out >>> with your bad elbow. I have my Easter Beanie Boos out on my computer desk, but still haven’t brought in our Easter bin from the garage.

This was an extremely slow cozy reading month for me, partly because I’ve been busy with life in general & partly because I read a few non cozy books this month.

But the few that I did read were extremely good!

Catriona McPherson — A Deadly Measure of Brimstone (Dandy Gilver series) –I truly do love this series! Upper crust lady detective Dandy Gilver solving crimes with her dry wit — and McPherson always gives an unusual twist to each of her plots — this is the kind of series to savor slowly because you don’t ever want them to run out!

J.J. Cook — Fry Another Day (Biscuit Bowl series) — Second book in this series by the beloved Joyce & Jim Lavene. This one involves a reality show, food truck road race with challenges involving red bikinis, upside down food, rollerskating and singing… oh and murder of course! Loads of fun!!!

Laurie R. King & Leslie S. Klinger — In the Company of Sherlock Holmes — anthology of short stories by various well known authors, either written in the style of Sherlock Holmes, or else involving Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Watson and/or Arthur Conan Doyle. Some of them were very very well written & quite enjoyable over all!

Hy Conrad — Toured to Death (Amy’s Travel Mystery) — The strength of this book is its basic premise — an enlarged version of the “murder mystery dinner” — in this case an entire murder mystery tour, with teams of contestants running around Europe following clues & trying to win the prize. And then a genuine murder occurs. Of course it does… 😉 What could be more fun?

Maia Chance — Snow White Red-Handed (A Fairy Tale Fatal Mystery) – This new series is totally fun! Takes place in England during Victorian times, the sleuth is a feisty young out of work American actress. Involves a mix of fairy tale lore and good old fashioned murder. And a love interest of course. LOVE it & can hardly wait for the next one. (and wish I knew how all those reviewers on Amazon got ARCs– wish I could get my hands on them too!)

James Runcie — Sidney Chambers And The Shadow of Death (Grantchester Mystery series) — This is the book that everyone is reading now that its become a PBS Masterpiece Mystery series. Your basic post WWII mystery series, where the sleuth is an Anglican priest. I like that the book contains a series of short stories rather than one long novel. I like the stories, but wish Sidney would just marry Amanda & get it over with.

Colette London — Criminal Confections (Chocolate Whisperer Mystery series) — I started this book & was enjoying it very much & was about halfway through when my library ebook expired — and could not renew because there were a number of holds on it. (Note: If you have a book in Kindle version, you can just turn off the wi-fi on your Kindle and then the book won’t “evaporate” till you turn the wi-fi back on — but lately many of the newer books are only available in Epub version — in fact I had to get a Kindle Fire because you can’t read Epub books on my basic Kindle e-reader — and even if you turn off the wi-fi — when the book is due — poof — its GONE!) So now I’ve been waiting on hold all month, there’s still at least one more person ahead of me till I can get it back again — I hope I get it soon before I forget the story & have to start from the beginning again! But I really like what I read of it! Chocolate — lots & lots of chocolate… and murder too… 😉

M.C. Beaton — Death of a Liar (Hamish Macbeth) — Newest title in an old favorite series. I just wish Hamish would get the girl for once LOL!

Amen, Collette! I love that series and Hamish does need to get a good
girl that will love him and his family! He is a genius and that Blair needs to be kept around for sheer aggravation but he could take an
occasional plot in the nearest LOCH while drinking! Wouldn’t hurt to
cool that acid tongue of his!

Love MC Beaton! She also writes regency romances under the name
of Marion Chesney. Very good if you enjoy that genre.

I love the Robin Paige Victorian and Edwardian mysteries featuring
Charles and Kate Sheridan and the Emily Brightwell’s Mrs. Jeffries books as well. Both have the romance quotient needed to qualify for Valentine month reading.

Finally February is over. For a short month it seems to take forever to be over. Of course the freezing temperature and snowy days we had in Connecticut didn’t help much. I got plenty of reading done though.
Snow Way Out – Christine Hason
Gilt by Association – Karen Rose Smith
This Old Homicide – Kate Carlisle
Crewel World – Monica Ferris
Framed in Lace – Monica Ferris
A Stitch in Time – Monica Ferris
Unraveled Sleeve – Monica Ferris
A Murderous Yarn – Monica Ferris

I have been a fan of J.A. Jance for many years (J.P. Beaumont and Joanna Brady series).

Cruel Intent is the 4th book in the Ali Reynolds series. Ali is a 40 something ex TV anchor who was fired for being “over the hill”. In this book, Ali is having her home remodeled when her contractor is accused of killing his wife. Although we find out early in the book who the killer is, it is interesting to follow Ali as she tracks down the killer.

Ms. Jance’s books are suspenseful and her characters are well developed, making her books an enjoyable read. I would recommend that the books be read in order.

Read several really good books in February. Two were by Kate Carlisle : High End Finish and This Old Homicide. Both were very good with interesting characters and plots.These are the beginnings of a great series. I also read Early Wake by Shelia Connolly. Loved the Irish feel of the story. I missed the first 2 in this series so I will have to catch up. I have read her Orchard series and her Museum mysteries. I like both these, too.

Really glad to come across this post. Almost all of my favourite authors are already included in your wonderful website. In fact, there are many that I discovered from here only 🙂 So thanks a lot…! Your website is definitely one of my favourites for cozy mysteries 🙂

Well, I have recently read three books that I enjoyed.

One is “Death By Ice Cream” by “Rebecca Douglass”, the first in the “Pismawallops PTA Mystery Series”. It captured my interest right from the start and the humour sprinkled throughout the book often made me smile. Definitely a fast paced and enjoyable read…!

The second was “The Bogey Man” by Marja McGraw, in her “Sandi Webster Mystery Series”.
This series features, Sandi Webster, who is a young female private investigator, with a partner named Pete, and a half wolf/half Golden Retriever dog. Though I believe the author also writes a “A Bogey Man Mystery Series”. Anyway. It was also a fun read…!

Then there was “The Deadly Prediction” by Carola S. Goodman, in her “Leslie Sisters Mystery Series”. An enjoyable book …with some humorous moments that made me smile …as well as a cozy English Village setting.

Danna, Well I am doing it again. On 1/30 I downloaded all 38 of Dell Shannon’s Luis Mendoza series. I promised myself as a pre-lent penance, I would not read them all at once, but I would space them out with other books. Ha Ha. It is 2/27 and I am now reading # 29 with the end in sight.I have not read any of my other books although I did try in the beginning. The weather, what weather? It has been the coldest February in the CT weather history and the 4th snowiest but I did not know that. I just keep reading and reading. It is like an addiction.Luis and his band of detectives are like a family to me.In spite of her different attitude to society (non offensive) just reflective of the 60s, these books are great reading. Some other time I will expound on the differences. I can ‘t take time away from them now. On ward I must return to LA.

I read several good mysteries this month, most of which are already on your list. I also read two Elizabethan mysteries by Amanda Carmack (hope I spelled that right!) I saw them recommended here earlier in the month so when I spotted them at the bookstore, I grabbed them right up. Really good. Thanks for all the tips on new authors and books.

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins isn’t cozy but it’s wonderful. If you liked Gone Girl (which is far from cozy but a great mystery), you’ll likely enjoy this book.

I also re-read the Leslie Meier series beginning with the first book to the rest of the ones set in Tinker Cove. She does a great job. I also finished the new Jonathan Kellerman Motive. He’s my favorite non-cozy and this one was excellent.

Noticed someone was reading Dell Shannon. Her books written under Lesley Egan are also really good.

I have done quite a bit of reading this month because the weather in Boston has been so terrible, and I have had five snow days since January 27th. My two favorite Cozies from the month were A Stitch in Time by Monica Ferris (an author mentioned frequently on your blog, with good reason) and Truly, Madly by Heather Webber. This cozy was really quite funny. I am not a huge fan of books with a paranormal theme, but Webber made Lucy Valentine’s psychic abilities seem quite “normal.” I can’t wait to read more books in the series.

My favorite cozy that I read this month was Lie of the needle by Cate Price. This is the third book in the series by Cate Price. I’ve liked them all. This one starts out with humor. The men of Millbury pose for a calendar to benefit the historical society. Daisy Buchanan is one of the women in charge and she also owns a notions and antique shop. The photographer’s body is found and several other mysteries happen that are connected to the calendar. Daisy does her best to solve everything. Daisy’s husband does all the cooking since she is busy solving crimes and working in her shop. His recipes are included in the back of the book and there are also tips in caring for antiques.

I HAVE READ ALL DELL SHANNON BOOKS AND HAVE ALL BUT 2 OR 3. I LOVE IT. I ALSO HAVE UNDER THE LESLEY EGAN AND ELIZBETH LINNINGTON. THERE 2 SERIES UNDER LESLEY EGAN AND I HAVE THESE SERIES TOO. I LOVE ALL OF THEM. IN FACT I REREAD THEM FROM TIME TO TIME.

Ginger, I am so glad you brought up Elizabeth Linnington and Lesley Egan. After reading your comment, I updated all three of my pages for these “three” authors. I see that all of her books are now being released under the Dell Shannon name, which is odd since her real name was Barbara Elizabeth Linington. Here’s the updated Dell Shannon page.

I just finished (30 minutes ago) Death of a dishonorable Gentleman by Tessa Arlen, a new author. This is a murder at a large English estate where a Ball was taking place. The time is about 1912.

The other book is present day USA and sounds like the beginning of a series. Death and the Redheaded woman by Loretta Ross. A young woman visits a mansion to catalog its contents for an auction when she stumbles over a body. I found these books in the new mysteries at my Library. I don’t think I saw either of these books on this site.